"A Sukhoi Su-24 [NATO reporting name Fencer] with the separate composite air regiment of the Northern Fleet simulated the attacking aircraft," the press office added. The ships used acquisition, tracking and fire control radars to deal with low-flying targets in the exercise. In addition, the ships are to have one more battle exercise in negating an air attack, using surface-to-air missile systems and in conjunction with friendly fighters. The exercise also will involve two MiG-31 interceptors (NATO reporting name Foxhound) and a pair of Su-24 bombers. The latter will simulate an air attack on the naval group, while the interceptors, in conjunction with the crews of the destroyer and large ASW ship, will ‘destroy’ the attackers.

The press office added that the Tuesday exercise would crown the training of the two ships’ crews in the run-up to the exercise of the Northern Fleet’s all-arms forces, including target practice using surface-to-air missiles in the sea.